Tool for bleeding a fuel containing member



June 29, 1965 w. MALTNER TOOL FOR BLEEDING A FUEL CONTAINING MEMBERFiled April 22. less 2hr? ii??? iii 4 4 A YViNhfig United States PatentThis invention relates to tools and methods for bleeding fuel and thelike from a fuel containing member.

The invention relates particularly to lighters which are intended tooperate with liquefied gas and which are nor mally kept in closedcondition by a valve member which is operated by the neck of a fuelsource or container, the contents of which are to be supplied to thelighter.

In order to obtain a uniform flame in lighters of the above-noted type,it is desirable to avoid an excessive filling thereof or to bleed someof the fuel therefrom if a complete filling has occurred during thefilling operation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved tool forpermitting the above-noted bleeding operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improver tooladapted for serving concomitantly as a cover for the associated fuelsource.

It is a further object of the invention to facilitate operating thevalve element in a lighter of the above-noted type.

Generally the invention contemplates the provision of a removable capfor the neck of a fuel source, the head of the cap being provided withan extension which corresponds to the neck of the fuel source and whichis adapted for performing the functions thereof insofar as thesefunctions relate to operating the valve member of the associated lighteror other such structure in which the valve member is positioned.

Advantageously, when not in use, the cap or cover of the invention fitson the fuel source and there is no need to accommodate the sameseparately.

Further, the cap is always readily available for a valve actuatingoperation, since it is normally intended to be employed only when theassociated fuel source is to be inoperative.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in whichthe sole drawing illustrates partially in section and partially brokenaway the combination of a fuel source, a fuel receiving device and acover element associated therewith in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing is illustrated a fuel source or container 1, havingmounted thereon a neck 2 within which is positioned a means M which isschematically illustrated in the drawing and which is adapted for beingengaged by an assoicated valve device as will be described hereinunderfor purposes of releasing fuel from said source 1.

Also shown in the drawing is the bottom portion 3 of a casing for amechanism such as a lighter or the like adapted to operate with fuelsupplied by the source 1. Mounted on the bottom portion 3 is a sleeve 4accommodating therein a valve body 5. Sleeve 4 is connected at one endthereof to the bottom portion 3 in hermetically sealed relationshiptherewith and has an innermost end extending into the casing, as isshown. p

'Valve body'5 includes a depending body portion 5a of lesser diameter,the body portion 5a extending through a packing 6 which encircles thesame and is accommodated within the sleeve 4. 1 p t A spring 7 isprovided within a sleeve 75: located within "ice sleeve 4, the spring 7operating against valve body 5 to urge the same downwardly within thesleeve 4.

Within the sleeve 4 and intermediate the ends thereof is provided aninwardly extending annular flange 8 having a central opening throughwhich extends the hollow pin 9 mounted in the valve body portion 5a.

Hollow pin 9 communicates with a transverse bore or passage 10 in thevalve body 5a to provide for the travel of fuel into the casing and outof the same.

Also illustrated in the drawing is a cap or cover 11 having a firstcylindrical portion 12 connected to a second cylindrical portion 13 oflesser diameter, these two cylindrlcal portions cooperatively definingtherebetween a shoulders.

Cylindrical portion 13 is provided with an axially disposed blind bore14, the function of which will be hereinafter indicated in greaterdetail.

Cylindrical portion 12 is provided with a blind bore 15 also axiallydisposed and adapted for accommodating the neck 2 of fuel source 1.

Within the bore 15 is provided a ridge 16 of annular shape adapted formaking frictional engagement with said neck 2.

a. The cylindrical portion 13 has an outer diameter such that is readilyaccommodated within the sleeve 4. The

cylindrical portion 12 is provided with an outer diameter which exceedsthe diameter of the sleeve 4, so that the shoulder S abuts against thelower end of the sleeve 4 or against the bottom portion 3.

In the drawing are indicated three dimensions A, B and C. Dimension Adenotes the axial distance between the bottom of bore 14 and theshoulder S, this distance being of sufficient magnitude to enable adepressing of the hollow pin 9 by an amount capable of displacingpacking 6 against the lower end of inner sleeve 7a and furtherdisplacing body portion 5a with respect to the packing 6 to uncover thetransverse passage 10 to provide for the escape of fuel from the lightercasing in the direction indicated by the'arrows in the drawing.

It will be noted that the diameter of cylindrical section 13 is suchthat a clearance is provided between this portion and the sleeve 4 toenable the escape of the fuel as aforesaid.

Dimension B represents approximately the distance through which thepacking 6 must be displaced frorn the. flange 8 to the lower extremityof sleeve 7a until a relative movement takes place between bodyportion5a and said packing. i

Dimension C indicates the movement required between the shoulderformedbetween body portion 5a and valve 1 body 5 on the one hand and thepassage 10 in order to uncover the latter to permit the escape of fuelfromthe lighter casing.

From what has been stated above, it will be understood that with thecover llremoved from the neck 2 of fuel container 1 the neck 2 isinserted into the sleeve 4 so that the hollow pin 9 engages the valvemeans M to admit fuel into the lighter casing from the source 1. In thisevent the fuel follows a path leading through the hollow pin 9 andthrough the transverse passage 10 and thence via the bore of innersleeve 7a into the casing.

When this operation has been completed, the cover 11 is placed on theneck 2 and if a bleeding operation is desired the cylindrical portion 13is inserted into the sleeve 4 to the extent permitted by shoulder S,whereupon the hollow pin 9 is displaced to operate the valve structurein the above-stated manner. a

It follows from the description given above that the invention proposesa container cover including first and second coverportions of generallycylindrical shape coninected in coaxial relationship, the first coverportion including a blind bore adapted to accommodatethe neck of a fuelcontainer and including an internal annular ridge in the blind bore forfrictionally engaging this neck, the cover portions defining a shouldertherebetween which bears a determinable relationship to a blind boreprovided in'the second cover portion to enable the displace ment of avalve pin in an associated casing.

It will also be understoodthat the invention contemplates a method offilling a casing with fuel viathe neck of a fuel container and a valvein the casing, covering the neck with a cover member, and bleeding fuelfrom the casing by engaging the valve with the cover member.

Stated otherwise, the invention contemplates a method comprisingselectively operating a valve pin of a lighter casing with the neck of afuel container or with a cover positioned on this neck.

It'will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsand variations of the structures and methods set forth above. Thesemodifications and variations will not however depart from the scope ofthe invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising a lighter casing including a bottom portionprovided with an opening therein, a V

placeable in said sleeve between said flange and the innermost end'ofsaid sleeve, a packing between said body and flange and adapted forlimited movement in said sleeve, said body including a body portionextending slidably through said packing, means urging said body towardssaid flange and in a direction outwardly of said casing, said body beingadapted to sandwich said packing against said flange, a hollow pin onsaid body portion, said body portion being provided with a passagecoupling said .pin with the interior of said casing, a container forsupplying fuelunder pressure to said casing, a hollow neck on saidcontainer and insertable into said sleeve and adapted to receive saidpin, means in said neck engageable by said pin to release fuel into saidcasing via said neck and passage, and a container cover including firstand second cover portions of generally cylindrical shape connected incoaxial relation, said first cover portion including a blind boreadapted to accommodate said neck, said first cover portion having anouter diameter exceeding that of the sleeve and therefore providing ashoulder adapted to abut against said sleeve, said second cover portionbeing provided with a 'blind bore having a diameter sufficient toaccommodate said pin and further having bottom spaced axially from saidshoulder, said second cover portion having an outer diameter enablinginsertion thereof into the sleeve with clearance to permit escape offuel from said casing via said passage, pin and clearance.

' 2. For use with a casing including a bottom portion provided with anopening therein, a sleeve in said opening having an innermost endextending into the casing and cylindrical shape connected in coaxialrelation, said first portion having an outer diameter exceeding that ofthe sleeve and therefore providing a shoulder adapted to abut againstsaid sleeve, said second portion being provided with a blind borehavinga diameter suificient to accommodate said pin and further having abottom spaced axially from said shoulder by a distance which is greaterthan said determinabledistance by an amount which is greater than saidlimited movement, said second portion having an outer diameter enablinginsetrion thereof into the sleeve with clearance to permit escape offuel from said casing via said passage, pin and clearance.

3. For use with a lighter casing including a bottom portion providedwith an opening therein, a sleeve in said opening having an innermostend extending into the casing and having a second end in hermeticallysealed relation with said bottom portion, an annular flange on andwithin said sleeve between said ends, a valve body displaceable in saidsleeve between said flange and the innermost end of said sleeve, apacking between said body and flange and adapted for limited movement insaid sleeve, said body including a body portion extending slidablythrough said packing, a spring urging said body towards said flange andin a direction outwardly of said casing, said body being adapted tosandwich said packing against said flange, a hollow pin on said bodyportion and of a length to be recessed a determined distance within saidsleeve with said body urging said packing against said flange, said "1body portion being provided with a passage coupling said of generallycylindrical shape connected in coaxial relahaving a second end inhermetically sealed relation with said bottom portion, an annular flangeon and within said sleeve, a valve body displaceable in said sleevebetween said flange and the innermost end of said sleeve, a packingbetween said body and flange and adapted for limited movement in saidsleeve between said ends, said body including a body portion extendingslidably through said packing, a spring urging said body towards saidflange and in a direction outwardly of said casing, said body tion, saidfirst cover portions including a blind bore adapted to accommodate aneck of a fuel container and including an internal annular ridge in theblind bore for frictionally engaging said neck, said first cover portionhaving an outer diameter exceeding that of the sleeve and; thereforeproviding a shoulder adapted to abut against said sleeve, said secondcover portion being provided With a blind bore having a diametersuflicient to accommodate said pin and further having a bottom spacedaxially from said shoulder by a distance which is greater than saiddeterminable distance by an amount which is greater than said limitedmovement, said second cover portion having an outer diameter enablinginsertion thereof into the sleeve with clearance to permit escape offuel from said casing via said passage, pin and clearance 4. For usewith a casing including a bottom portion provided with an openingtherein, a sleeve in said opening having an innermost end extending intothe casing and having a second end in sealed relation with said bottomportion, a flange on and within said sleeve between said ends, a valvebody displaceable in said sleeve between said flange and the innermostend of .said sleeve, a packing between said body and flange and adaptedfor limited movement in said sleeve, said body including a body portionextending slidably through said packing, a spring urging said bodytowards said flange and in a direction outwardly of said casing, saidbody being adapted to sandwich said packing against said flange, ahollow pin on said body portion and of a length to be recessed adetermined distance within said sleeve with said body urging saidpacking against said flange, said body portion being provided with apassage coupling said pin with the interior of said casing, said passagebeing selectively obturated by said packing, and a container forsupplying fuel under pressure to said casing, a hollow neck on saidcontainer and insertable into said sleeve and adapted to receive saidpin, means in saidneck engageable by said pin to release fuel into saidcasing via said neck and passage, said means being adapted to displacesaid pin and therefore said body portion relative to said packing toopen said passage: a container cover including first and second coverportions of generally cylindrical shape connected in coaxial relation,said first cover portion including a blind bore adapted to accommodatesaid neck and including an internal annular ridge in the blind bore forfrictionally engaging said neck, said first cover portion having anouter diameter exceeding that of the sleeve and therefore providing ashoulder adapted to abut against said sleeve, said second cover portionbeing provided with a blind bore having a diameter sutficient toaccommodate said pin and further having a bottom spaced axially fromsaid shoulder by a distance which is greater than said determinabledistance by an amount which is greater than said limited movement, saidsecond cover portion having an outer diameter enabling insertion thereofinto the sleeve with clearance to permit escape of fuel from said casingvia said passage, pin and clearance.

5. Apparatus comprising a lighter casing including a bottom portionprovided with an opening therein,'a sleeve in said opening having aninnermost end extending into the casing and having a second end inhermetically sealed relation with said bottom portion, an annular flangeon and within said sleeve between said ends, a valve body displaceablein said sleeve between said flange and the innermost end of said sleeve,a packing between said body and flange and adapted for limited movementin said sleeve, said body including a body portion extending slidablythrough said packing, a spring urging said body towards said flange andin a direction outwardly of said casing, said body adapted to sandwichsaid packing against said flange, a hollow pin on said body portion andof a length to be recessed a determined distance Within said sleeve Withsaid body urging said packing against said flange, said body portionbeing provided with a passage coupling said pin with the interior ofsaid casing, said passage being selectively obturated by said packing inaccordance with the relative positions of saidbody portion and packing:a container for supplying fuel under pressure to said casing, a hollowneck on said container and in- 6 sertable into said sleeve and adaptedto receive said pin, means in said neck engageable by said pin torelease fuel into said casing via said neck and passage, said meansbeing adapted to displace said pin and therefore said body portionrelative to said paclc'ng to open said passage; and a container coverincluding first and second cover portions of generally cylindrical shapeconnected in coaxial relation, said first cover portion including ablind bore adapted to accommodate said neck and including an in ternalannular ridge in the blind bore for frictionally engaging said neck,said first cover'portion having an outer diameter exceeding that of thesleeve and therefore providing a shoulder adapted to abut against saidsleeve, said second cover portion being provided with a blind borehaving a diameter sutficient to accommodate said pin and further havingabottom spaced axially from said shoulder by a distance which is greaterthan said determinable distance by an amount which is greater than saidlimited movement, said second cover portion having an outer diameterenabling insertion thereof into the sleeve with clearance to permitescape of fuel from said casing via said passage, pin and clearance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LAVERNE D.GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS COMPRISING A LIGHTER CASING INCLUDING A BOTTOM PORTIONPROVIDED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN, A SLEEVE IN SAID OPENING HAVING ANINNERMOST END EXTENDING INTO THE CASING AND HAVING A SECOND END INHERMETICALLY SEALED RELATION WITH SAID BOTTOM PORTION, A FLANGE ON ANDWITHIN SAID SLEEVE BETWEEN SAID ENDS, A VALVE BODY DISPLACEABLE IN SAIDSLEEVE BETWEEN SAID FLANGE AND THE INNERMOST END OF SAID SLEEVE, APACKING BETWEEN SAID BODY AND FLANGE AND ADAPTED FOR LIMITED MOVEMENT INSAID SLEEVE, SAID BODY INCLUDING A BODY PORTION EXTENDING SLIDABLYTHROUGH SAID PACKING, MEANS URGING SAID BODY TOWARDS SAID FLANGE AND INA DIRECTION OUTWARDLY OF SAID CASING, SAID BODY BEING ADAPTED TOSANDWICH SAID PACKING AGAINST SAID FLANGE, A HOLLOW PIN ON SAID BODYPORTION, SAID BODY PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A PASSAGE COUPLING SAIDPIN WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASING, A CONTAINER FOR SUPPLYING FUELUNDER PRESSURE TO SAID CASING, A HOLLOW NECK ON SAID CONTAINER ANDINSERTABLE INTO SAID SLEEVE AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID PIN, MEANS INSAID NECK ENGAGEABLE BY SAID PIN TO RELEASE FUEL INTO SAID CASING VIASAID NECK AND PASSAGE, AND A CONTAINER COVER INCLUDING FIRST AND SECONDCOVER PORTIONS OF GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SHAPE CONNECTED IN COAXIALRELATION, SAID FIRST COVER PORTION INCLUDING A BLIND BORE ADAPTED TOACCOMMODATE SAID NECK, SAID FIRST COVER PORTION HAVING AN OUTER DIAMETEREXCEEDING THAT OF THE SLEEVE AND THEREFORE PROVIDING A SHOULDER ADAPTEDTO ABUT AGAINST SAID SLEEVE, SAID SECOND COVER PORTION BEING PROVIDEDWITH A BLIND BORE HAVING A DIAMETER SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMMODATE SAID PINAND FURTHER HAVING BOTTOM SPACED AXIALLY FROM SAID SHOULDER, SAID SECONDCOVER PORTION HAVING AN OUTER DIAMETER ENABLING INSERTION THEREOF INTOTHE SLEEVE WITH CLEARANCE TO PERMIT ESCAPE OF FUEL FROM SAID CASING VIASAID PASSAGE, PIN AND CLEARANCE.